A proud graduate of the Saints Academy, Royle is beloved by his teammates, coaches and staff, and he will be wished well for his next chapter come the end of our Super League 2024 campaign.
Joining the Red V from community club Thatto Heath Crusaders, Royle became a Scholarship player and progressed through our youth development programme into the Academy and then became a senior First Team player from the 2021 season. The forward made his official St.Helens debut away against Salford in September 2021.
Sam has led out our youth teams as captain and he has made the unique honour of being a captain for all of our teams (Scholarship, Academy, Reserves and First Team). It was during the 2022 Super League season when he skippered a young First Team Saints side away at Castleford.
To date the 24-year-old has played for our First Team on 28 occasions so far, and has frequently been named as the Red V’s 18th-man in the past couple of seasons, whilst continuing to be captain of Derek Hardman’s Reserves Saints.
During the 2024 season, he has six senior match appearances to his record, and against Castleford Tigers at the Totally Wicked Stadium in July he went over for his first Super League try for the Club.
In early September 2024, Royle led the team that won Reserves Championship with a Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors. It was a special moment for all involved with our Reserves setup, but especially for Royle who has served St.Helens with distinction and got to lift up the trophy.
Everyone at Saints would like to wish Sam all the best in the future!
